I ride with a group that does the SM500 every Oct. We hit it right with the weather the last week in Oct. this year but had a bad accident with one of the bigger bikes near Tellico Plains. I'm not sure why but I absolutely love riding that route. We usually stay at a hostel in Suches, cabin in Tellico Plains, and at the Iron Horse in Robbinsville. I have some of the best riding stories ever from these rides. I enjoyed your video.
Yes...i got to do this back in September and it was awesome, our total distance on the loop was 527 miles we did it in 3 days of constant riding not stopping for long, you got to do it you will not regret it , 80% of it is big bike friendly the other 20% you better be on your game and focused i was on an Africa Twin, it's do-able but you gotta work for it, have fun and I'll see ya down the trail
Thats my experience with big bikes in general. I’ve done the SM500 and BDRs on both a BMW 1200GS and my DRZ. Your experience is exactly how I would describe the difference. The big bikes just have more work in certain sections. The little bikes are just plain fun! The flip side is slabbing home kinda sucks on the little bikes. We’ve done BDR’s where we’ve slabbed the return trip and that is less enjoyable on a DRZ or WR. I haven’t found that unicorn bike yet.
I just wanted to sneak over here and see what you had to say about the SM500. You'll have to do it again on the new bike... see if 20 years and better everything makes a difference on the trail.
Im looking to do this ride sometime and find myself always wondering where I could leave the Jeep and trailer while making the ride. Did you guys trailer there? Enjoyed the video!
We were able to leave our truck at Smittys Lodge for $15 bucks added onto the room bill since we stayed one night. Cherohala Motorcycle resort also would accommodate. We trailered in the night before to get an early start that morning. I’ve stayed at both places and they are both worth the stay. Ohh and I’m a fellow Jeeper…glad you enjoyed the video.
I’ve seen one bear in all my riding in the North GA and TN/NC state lines. So they are there but few and far between. If you hang your food at campgrounds you shouldn’t have any interaction.
Can you?…probably yes for 90% on a small bike unless it’s wet.However, I think you’d have a much easier time throwing at least some 70/30 style tire with a bit of a tread. I personally would not do it on a pure road tire.
Excellent footage, thanks for taking us along!
I ride with a group that does the SM500 every Oct. We hit it right with the weather the last week in Oct. this year but had a bad accident with one of the bigger bikes near Tellico Plains. I'm not sure why but I absolutely love riding that route. We usually stay at a hostel in Suches, cabin in Tellico Plains, and at the Iron Horse in Robbinsville. I have some of the best riding stories ever from these rides. I enjoyed your video.
Was he on a DesertX? If so I saw a video of that accident. Hope your buddies ok. We had our own little mishap on Witt Rd.
Fantastic video 🇺🇲🍾🎉🇺🇲
Keep producing more videos
Thanks! Stay tuned...We are about to head out on the Idaho BDR in about 30 days.
Yes...i got to do this back in September and it was awesome, our total distance on the loop was 527 miles we did it in 3 days of constant riding not stopping for long, you got to do it you will not regret it , 80% of it is big bike friendly the other 20% you better be on your game and focused i was on an Africa Twin, it's do-able but you gotta work for it, have fun and I'll see ya down the trail
Thats my experience with big bikes in general. I’ve done the SM500 and BDRs on both a BMW 1200GS and my DRZ. Your experience is exactly how I would describe the difference. The big bikes just have more work in certain sections. The little bikes are just plain fun! The flip side is slabbing home kinda sucks on the little bikes. We’ve done BDR’s where we’ve slabbed the return trip and that is less enjoyable on a DRZ or WR. I haven’t found that unicorn bike yet.
Get a Dr650 comfy at 85 mph ..lightweight handles thedirt gravel mud .
Our backyard! Enjoyed the video boys!
We ride down that way a fair amount. Not our backyard but a very nice neighbor. Beautiful area!
I just wanted to sneak over here and see what you had to say about the SM500. You'll have to do it again on the new bike... see if 20 years and better everything makes a difference on the trail.
Great job
Thanks for watching.
Im looking to do this ride sometime and find myself always wondering where I could leave the Jeep and trailer while making the ride. Did you guys trailer there? Enjoyed the video!
We were able to leave our truck at Smittys Lodge for $15 bucks added onto the room bill since we stayed one night. Cherohala Motorcycle resort also would accommodate. We trailered in the night before to get an early start that morning. I’ve stayed at both places and they are both worth the stay. Ohh and I’m a fellow Jeeper…glad you enjoyed the video.
@@BestoftheBackroads Awesome thanks for the info! ✌️
Do you need bear spray for this trip? Just bought drz400s, breaking it in now. I'll be in Tellico later this year.
I’ve seen one bear in all my riding in the North GA and TN/NC state lines. So they are there but few and far between. If you hang your food at campgrounds you shouldn’t have any interaction.
Im just now getting into adv biking. Doing the sm500 at the end of this month. What is a great GPS unit to get? Thanks
I use a garmin XT. The are pricey but really good.
What week was this? Looks like you hit the peak for leaves.
Mountain house meals tear me up i can eat one of those and i'll fart all night long
Can you ride that on a set of Supermoto tires?
Can you?…probably yes for 90% on a small bike unless it’s wet.However, I think you’d have a much easier time throwing at least some 70/30 style tire with a bit of a tread. I personally would not do it on a pure road tire.